Universal dock for context sensitive computing device

Abstract

A dock for interacting with a computing device. The computing device configures itself for operations based on its context, which may be determined form the dock by reading a value from a tag on the dock. The computing device may use low power transmissions such that receiving a value from the tag provides an indication of proximity to the dock. The value read provides an indication of a desired operation, and, in response to reading a value of the tag, the computing device may launch an application, pair with devices in the vicinity of the dock, or take other actions that configure the computing device. A universal dock, usable with computing devices of a plurality of form factors, may be implemented by providing an array of tags and, in some cases, a non-contact power supply.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dock for a computing device, the dock comprising:
 a support structure configured to receive the computing device in response to the computing device being placed on a support surface of the dock; and 
 a plurality of tags configured to wirelessly transmit multiple values to the computing device, wherein the multiple values include tag identifiers that identify individual tags of the plurality of tags and an application identifier that indicates that an application having a corresponding application identity is to be executed by the computing device to automatically configure the computing device for use with the dock in response to a reading of the application identifier by the computing device, and wherein the application is associated with a location of the dock. 
 
     
     
       2. The dock of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dock comprises a two-dimensional array of tags disposed across the support surface; and 
 the plurality of tags comprise at least a portion of the two-dimensional array. 
 
     
     
       3. The dock of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the application identifier indicates to the computing device that the computing device is to perform a pairing ceremony with at least one wireless computer peripheral. 
 
     
     
       4. The dock of  claim 2 , wherein multiple of the plurality of tags are active tags. 
     
     
       5. The dock of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of tags in the two-dimensional array is encoded with the same value. 
 
     
     
       6. The dock of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of tags in the two-dimensional array is encoded with different values according to an error control code. 
 
     
     
       7. The dock of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of tags comprise passive tags. 
     
     
       8. The dock of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of tags comprises an active tag, the active tag comprising:
 a radio; 
 a controller, coupled to the radio, the controller configured for:
 detecting, in a signal received by the radio, an indication of a computing device in a vicinity of the dock; and 
 in response to detecting the indication, controlling the radio to transmit at least one of the multiple values. 
 
 
     
     
       9. A method of operating a dock for a computing device, the method comprising:
 supporting the computing device on a support surface of the dock; 
 receiving radiation from the computing device; and 
 in response to receiving the radiation, emitting radiation from a plurality of tags, wherein the radiation from the plurality of tags encode multiple values, the multiple values including values identifying individual tags of the plurality of tags, and a value indicating that an application with a corresponding identity is to be executed by the computing device to automatically configure the computing device for use with the dock in response to the computing device receiving the value, wherein the application is associated with a location of the dock. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the emitted radiation has a power between 0.2 milliwatts and 1 milliwatt. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 receiving radiation from the computing device comprises receiving a beacon; and 
 the emitted radiation also encodes another value indicative of at least one device in the vicinity of the dock for pairing with the computing device. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the at least one device includes a plurality of human interface devices. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the received radiation comprises a control packet comprising an information element; 
 the method further comprises analyzing the information element; and 
 the emitting radiation comprises emitting radiation in response to the analyzing determining that the information element identifies a service available from a device in the vicinity of the dock. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of tags are arranged in a two-dimensional array that substantially covers the support surface of the dock. 
     
     
       15. A dock for a portable computing device, the dock comprising:
 a support structure having a surface configured to receive the computing device; and 
 a plurality of tags, encoded with multiple values, the multiple values including tag identifiers that identify individual tags of the plurality of tags and the multiple values including an application identifier indicating that an application having a corresponding identifier is to be executed by the computing device to automatically configure the computing device for use with the dock in response to a reading of the application identifier by the computing device, the plurality of tags configured to wirelessly transmit the value to the computing device, wherein the application is associated with a location of the dock. 
 
     
     
       16. The dock of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of tags includes at least one of passive or active tags. 
     
     
       17. The dock of  claim 15 , wherein:
 multiple of the plurality of tags in a two-dimensional array and are encoded with different values. 
 
     
     
       18. The dock of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the support structure comprises a member for holding the computing device against the surface with a screen of the computing device positioned with a predetermined orientation; and 
 the application identifier identifies a software application that, when executed, formats information for presentation on the screen in the predetermined orientation. 
 
     
     
       19. The dock of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the support structure is configured for receiving a slate form factor computing device. 
 
     
     
       20. The dock of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the dock is in combination with at least one wireless computer peripheral; and 
 the application identifier indicates to the computing device to perform a pairing ceremony with the at least one wireless computer peripheral.